The Promotion

Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly play rival grocery store employees battling for a managerial job in this amiable independent comedy that never gets around to naming its real antagonist. But writer/director Steve Conrad’s greatest comedic sin lies in not recognizing the knotty pine from which most managerial types are cut. Richard (played by John C. Reilly) is a recovering drug-addict from Canada trying to be the breadwinner for his wife (played by Lily Taylor) and their young daughter, while Doug (played by Seann William Scott) wants to buy a house for his new spouse (played by Jenna Fischer). Muted bits of slapstick and verbal insults arrive with more clunkers than zingers, but the performances are adequate and the tone sincere.